Subject vs. functional: Should subject librarians be replaced by functional specialists in academic libraries?

Abstract

This paper focuses on the move by some academic libraries to replace subject-based organisational structures with new functional structures, introducing functional specialists instead of subject librarians. It reports 11 in-depth semi-structured interviews with senior managers in UK libraries discussing their attitudes to this change. Key drivers for change included the desire to align the library more closely with institutional strategy and provide enhanced research support. However, there were also major concerns, particularly the loss of close relationships with academic departments. Little consensus emerged apart from agreement that this is a major current debate impacting significantly on the future positioning of libraries in their institutions.

New Directions for Academic Libraries in Research Staffing: A Case Study at National University of Ireland Galway

“…Its reasons for doing so are similar to those reported elsewhere(Hoodless & Pinfield, 2016) but the staffing and budgetary cuts noted earlier ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT13 have been a significant factor too. It is no longer feasible to devote a large proportion of professional staffing to individual Colleges and greater flexibility of deployment is needed, especially as the range of expectations has broadened so much beyond collections, information literacy and reference, the core subject librarian areas of engagement(Jaguszewski & Williams, 2013).…”

“…It also reinforced the new teams and the Fuller attention to communications, including an orientation of language used towards partnership instead of service, has to date generated an increased and more broadly based interaction with the academic community. A less close relationship is a concern commonly expressed about moving from subject to functional organisation (Hoodless & Pinfield, 2016) but this has not happened so far. The phrase carpe diem (seize the day) resonates strongly too.…”

“…The subject librarian role has come under the spotlight, and the broadening of research support activities as well as trends towards interdisciplinary research have led to its supplementation with specialists at some institutions (Jaguszewski & Williams, 2013). Other libraries have shifted from subject to functional models (Hoodless & Pinfield, 2016;Jaguszewski & Williams, 2013). Those who have done so have been motivated by a desire to strengthen research support, putting an emphasis on improved cross-campus collaboration and communications (Eldridge, Fraser, Simmonds, & Smyth, 2016).…”

“…Local factors and institutional priorities are rightly recognised as shaping any academic library's staffing model for research (Auckland, 2012;Hoodless & Pinfield, 2016). Certain events at NUI Galway in recent years have been highly significant in this regard, none more so than the Another event with long-term impact for the Library has been the establishment of a partnership in 2012 between the University and the Abbey Theatre, Ireland's national theatre and one of its foremost cultural institutions, to digitise its archive (Bradley & Keane, 2015).…”

An integrative review of Web 3.0 in academic libraries

“…For example, research data management. (Hoodless and Pinfield, 2016). Web accessibility Web adaptability Web standards will evolve to be more inclusive with robust Web architectures for serviceability (Kelly et al, 2009).…”